Container construction and package



y 7, 1964 R. E. BAUM ETAL 3,140,037

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION AND PACKAGE Original Filed July 26, 1960 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR). Havana E. 5 HM w/wze r 2 Day/:0

y 7, 1964 R. E. BAUM ETAL 3,140,037

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION AND PACKAGE Original Filed July 26, 1960 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TORJ' RICH/749D E EHUM BY PV cazer ED441545 UnitedStates Patent i 3,140,037 CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION AND PACKAGE Richard E.Baum, Appleton, and Wilbert P. Daniels, Green Bay, Wis., assignors toGreen Bay Packaging Inc., a corporation of Wisconsin Originalapplication July 26, 1960, Ser. No. 45,456, now Patent No. 3,056,245,dated Oct. 2, 1962. Divided and this application Jan. 29, 1962, Ser. No.169,374

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-45) This invention relates to an improved containerconstruction and package disclosed and claimed in application 45,456,filed July 26, 1960, now Patent Number 3,056,245, whereof the presentapplication is a divisional filed pursuant to requirement forrestriction.

We provide blanks for the box and its cover having similar corner andflange scoring which may, in some instances, take the form ofperforations or the like to facilitate the removal of some of thematerial. With the respective blanks flat, the flange portions of eachare coated in any appropriate manner with a seal of self-adherentpressure-sensitive adhesive such as latex. The adhesive will not adhereto anything other than a surface coated with a similar adhesive. In thecase of the box blank, the

flange portions which are coated are the portions which will provide theouter surfaces of the sides of the erected box. In the case of the coverblank, the flange portions which are coated are the portions which willprovide the interior surfaces of the erected cover. One or the other ofthe flanges has a relatively wide band of adhesive, this desirably beingthe box. In the case of the other blank, the flange portions may haverelatively narrow bands of adhesive.

The respective blanks with their adhesively coated flange portions arenow erected, pleats being formed at the corners of the box blank and atthe corners of the cover blank so that all four sides of the erected boxpro vide coated surfaces at the exterior of the box while all four sidesof the cover provide coated surfaces at the interior of the box.

The several pleats are, of course, triangular. Moreover, each of thepleats includes coated surfaces as a result of the single coatingoperation performed on the blank prior to the direction of the box orcover. The tips of the respective pleats may also be connected withadjacent side margins of the box or cover, as by means of a singlestaple.

Assuming that the pleat of the cover is defined by perforations ratherthan mere scoring, such pleat need not be stapled or otherwise fastenedto the adjacent side wall of the cover because, upon assembly of thecover and box as hereinafter described, the projecting pleats can simplybe torn free of the cover. This will expose the diagonal slit betweencontiguous portions of the side wall but the margins of the side wallwill be anchored to the box at both sides of the slit.

With the box and cover erected as described, and the box filled with thematerial to be shipped, the cover will be telescoped over the box incontact with the material, which preferably has a depth exceeding theheight of the side walls of the box. The procedure and product areparticularly serviceable for boxes for shipment of sheets of paper. Thesheets are normally separated slightly by air and considerable pressureis required to compact the sheets in such a way as to expel the air.With the box 3,149,037 Patented July 7, 1964 ice packed full of sheetsof paper to a depth exceeding the height of its side wall, and the coverapplied on top of the sheets of paper with its side flanges lappingthose of the box, vertical pressure is applied to telescope the covermore deeply over the box and at the same time to compress the contentsof the box. When maximum compression is reached in a direction tocompress the contents, lateral pressure is exerted at all four sides ofthe cover to force the coated surfaces of the cover into intimatecontact with the coated surfaces of the box throughout the respectiveperimeters of the box and cover. This brings about immediate adhesiveconnection of the cover to the box, thereby maintaining the contentsunder pressure. At this point, if a pleat of the cover is to be tornfree of the cover, this is done.

The box may be opened by introducing a tool in the nature of a bluntknife or like blade between the coated surfaces of the box and cover andmoving it along between such surfaces to free the respective coatingsfrom adhesive connection with each other. If the box is to be re-closed,this will usually be done with staples or conventional fastening means,as the opening operation will normally destroy the capacity of thecoatings to adhere the cover to the box.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cover blank scored and coated in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 2 fragmentarily illustrates one end portion of a complementary boxblank similarly scored and coated.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail view showing a slightly modifiedembodiment similar to FIG. 1, the pleats being defined entirely by scorelines rather than partially by per foration lines.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail view similar to FIG. 3 and showing afurther modification of the cover blank.

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective showing in separated position an erectedbox and cover made from the blanks comparable to those of FIG. 1 andFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail view in bottom perspective showing aportion of a cover erected from the blank of FIG. 4.

' FIG. 7 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective showing apreliminary assembly of a box and contents and cover.

FIG. 8 is a View similar to FIG. 7 showing the corner pleat anchored bya staple.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the corner pleat severed.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail view in horizontal section on the line10--10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged detail view in transverse section on the line1111 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a similar view showing the relative position of the parts asthe cover is sealed to the box by lateral pressure exerted duringcontinued vertical pressure which compresses the contents.

The cover blank 15 (FIG. 1) and a central panel 16 defined by fold lines17, 18, 19 and 20, are usually made by scoring the material of theblank. Between the fold lines and the respective margins of the blankare side flanges 21, 22, 23 and 24, respectively, the ends of which aredefined by extensions of the fold lines as above described. Fold lines25 and 26 which are desirably made up by rows of perforations aresymmetrically disposed to extend at forty-five degrees with reference tofold line 3 17 from the point of its intersection with fold line 18.Similarly, rows of perforations providing fold lines at 27 and 28 aredisposed symmetrically with reference to the extension of fold line 19from the point of its intersection with fold line 18.

At the other side of the blank there are similar fold lines at 29 and 30desirably comprising rows of perforations leading obliquely from thepoint of intersection of fold lines 19 and 20 and rows of perforations31 and 32 extending obliquely from the intersection of fold lines 20,17.

Completely outlining the blank 15 and preferably spaced slightlyinwardly from its side and end margins are strips of adhesive 36, 37, 38and 39 which are respectively dis posed on flanges 21 to 24. In a coverof the respective proportions indicated, these strips are only abouthalf as wide as the respective flanges. By way of illustration, and notby way of limitation, this strip or band of adhesive might beapproximately one and one-quarter inches wide and located one-quarterinch from the outer margin of the blank on a flange having a total widthof approximately three and one-quarter inches. On a blank for ashallower cover, the entire flange might be coated.

The box blank 40 is in most respects comparable to the cover blank 15,having a central panel at 41 defined by fold lines such as those shownat 42, 43, 44 in FIG. 2. These fold lines define similar side flangessuch as those shown at 45, 46 and 47. The bands of adhesive such asthose shown at 48, 49 and 50 are desirably wider in the case of the box,the relative width being three inches as compared with an inch and aquarter in the foregoing example. Diagonal or pleat fold lines such asthose shown at 51 and 54 are used in the box, as in the cover. However,the oblique fold lines 52 and 53 are in the end panels 46, rather thanthe side panels, to enable the resulting pleats to fold out along theends as shown in the erected box illustrated in FIG. 5. More over, thefold lines 5154- are ordinarily made by scoring rather than by rows ofperforations, since it is not ordinarily contemplated that the pleatsresulting from erection of the box blank will be severed in the mannerwhich is preferred in the case of the cover blank.

It is also possible that the oblique fold lines at the corners of thecover blank be made of score lines instead of rows of perforations, thisbeing indicated at 29' and 30 in FIG. 3.

When the cover is erected as shown in FIG. 5, the face of the panel 16which is viewed in FIG. 1 constitutes the inside of the cover. Twotriangular areas 55 and 56 outlined by the perforated fold lines 29 and30 are folded upon each other on extension 59 of fold line 19 to make apleat designated by reference character 60. That portion of the adhesiveband 39 which extends across the triangular panels to adhere to eachother as shown, for example, in FIGS. 7 to inclusive, particularly FIGS.9 and 10. However, the surfaces of the triangular areas 55 and 56 whichare exposed when the pleat is formed have no adhesive coating and willeither have to be anchored by means of a staple or the like as shown at62 in FIG. 8 or the entire pleat 60 may be torn away from the cover uponthe rows of perforations 29 and 30 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thisbeing possible after the cover has been cemented to the box ashereinafter described.

The bands of adhesive applied to the box and cover are desirably of apressure-sensitive material which is virtually non-adherent except whenpressed into contact with like coatings. Latex is used in practice andis a preferred example.

Folding of the box blank 40 is similar to the folding of the cover blankexcept that the respective flanges are folded in such a manner that theadhesive bands 48, 49 and 50 are exposed externally on the respectiveflanges in the manner shown in FIG. 5. Pleats such as that shown at 65are formed in each corner by foldim upon 4 each other the triangularareas such as those shown at 66 and 67 in FIGS. 2 and 5. The adhesivecoated surfaces of the triangular areas 66 will be exposed and thecoated surfaces of the areas 67 will be adherent to the box wall 46 tohold the pleat 65 and the same will be true at each of the other fourcorners of the box.

While it is possible to anchor the corner pleats of the box in a mannersimilar to that suggested in FIG. 8, where the staple 62 is shown forthis purpose, it is unnecessary to anchor the pleats at the box cornersby staples or the like because these will be held by the adhesive.

With the contents in the completed box 40, the completed cover 15 istelescoped over the box and contents as shown in FIG. 11. This willpresent the generally planiform inner faces of the cover flanges to thegenerally planiform external faces of the corresponding box flanges asis here illustrated by the cover end flange 23 and the box end flange 46in FIG. 11. The coating bands of the cover flanges will slide down overthe adhesive coating bands of the box flanges as represented in FIG. 11by the adhesive coatings 38 and 49.

As stated in the introductory disclosure, paper sheets as stackedcontain considerable air between the successive sheets. Accordingly, thefirst step in completing the package according to the present inventionis to exert pressure between platens 72 and 73 which engage the toppanel 16 of the cover 15' and bottom panel 41 of the box 40, suchpressure being suificient to compact the contents 70 and to complete thetelescoping movement of the cover flanges with respect to the boxflange.

As soon as the contents have been compressed to the maximum practicalextent, pressure is applied both longitudinally and laterally to engagethe pressure-sensitive coatings of the cover with the complementarypressuresensitive coatings of the box. This step is represented in FIG.12 by the showing of platen 74 forced toward the contents by ram 75 asindicated by the arrow 76, it being understood that similar platens willengage the other sides of the package. At the ends of the box the coverends will be deformed inwardly by the cushioned platens to engage thebox end wall between the box corner pleats, whereby to adhere as shownin FIG. 10 to the box end wall as well as to the exposed adhesivelycoated surfaces of the pleats.

The pressure of these platens at the four sides of the package willinstantly effect adhesion between the cover flanges and box flanges toretain the contents 70 under continued pressure until such pressure isreleased by the opening of the package.

Usually, if one or all of the triangular pleats 60 are to be removed,this will be done as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 immediately following theclosing of the package. At that time, the flange portions of the covercontiguous to the perforated lines 29 and 30 will be securely cementedto the outer faces of the box flange so that removal of the pleat 60will simply leave a diagonal line on the package as shown in FIGS. 9 and10.

If it is not desired to tear off the pleat, it may simply be stapled orotherwise fastened to the cover as shown in FIG. 8 as already described.

Either the box or the cover may be made without a pleat as suggested inthe modified construction shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Here the corner of theblank has been deeply notched at 78 to provide a tab 30 which is foldedoutwardly and stapled to engage the cover but would correspondingly befolded inwardly and stapled to engage the box.

We claim:

1. A box and telescoping cover comprising prefabricated box and coverportions each provided with fold lines which define side flanges andfurther define corners including triangular pleat-forming areas, each ofsaid portions having a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive which isadherent to like adhesive but not substantially adherent to othermaterials, the said coating being substantially continuous about the boxon the external surfaces of its flanges and pleat-forming areas andabout the cover on the internal surfaces of its flanges andpleat-forming areas, the coatings of contiguous triangular pleat-formingareas of the respective portions being mutually adherent maintaining thepleats at the respective corners of the box and cover, the box havingthe adhesive coating exposed on the completed pleats as well as on saidflanges, said box and cover being permanently connected by pressureengagement of their respective coatings following telescopic associationof their flanges.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the pleat at each corner of the coverportion is defined by rows of perforations upon which the pleat is notmerely foldable but severable respecting contiguous side wall portionsof the cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,165,860 Fairchild et a1. Dec. 29, 1915 1,926,366 Bergstein Sept. 12,1933 2,072,371 Kaplan Mar. 2, 1937 2,078,446 Grigg Apr. 27, 19372,197,739 Bensel Apr. 16, 1940 2,688,434 Udel Sept. 7, 1954 2,880,866Van Dyck Apr. 3, 1959

1. A BOX AND TELESCOPING COVER COMPRISING PREFABRICATED BOX AND COVERPORTIONS EACH PROVIDED WITH FOLD LINES WHICH DEFINE SIDE FLANGES ANDFURTHER DEFINE CORNERS INCLUDING TRIANGULAR PLEAT-FORMING AREAS, EACH OFSAID PORTIONS HAVING A COATING OF PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE WHICH ISADHERENT TO LIKE ADHESIVE BUT NOT SUBSTANTIALLY ADHERENT TO OTHERMATERIALS, THE SAID COATING BEING SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUS ABOUT THE BOXON THE EXTERNAL SURFACES OF ITS FLANGES AND PLEAT-FORMING AREAS ANDABOUT THE COVER ON THE INTERNAL SURFACES OF ITS FLANGES ANDPLEAT-FORMING AREAS,